Your First 24 Hours in the UK: A New Student's Guide to Avoiding Costly Mistakes

This article is also available in [Burmese]

Many of the issues in this guide aren't just specific to the UK; they happen to new arrivals in any country. We all experience the same regrets. We waste time we shouldn't have wasted and spend money we shouldn't have spent. But what if you could avoid all that? What if you could save money and keep your sanity intact from the moment you land?

If I had known these things when I first arrived, my start here would have been so much better. Instead of stumbling blindly down an unknown path, I would have known where I was going. So, to save you from countless regrets, please read "Moe Moe's UK Arrival Bible."

Step 1: The Immigration Desk - Your First Test

When you face the Immigration Officer, they will ask you a series of simple questions: Where will you be staying? Where are you going? What are you here to do? You must have your essential documents printed out and ready to show them. Remember, you are holding a Myanmar passport, which means you may face more scrutiny.

Be prepared to answer clearly and confidently. I recommend having a script ready in your head:

"I’ve come here to study at (Oxford Brookes University) for a (Bachelor of Arts in Architecture). I will be staying at (my University Accommodation) from tonight throughout the year."

Your Document Checklist (Have these printed in your hand luggage):

• Essential:
  • Your Passport
  • Your Visa Approval and Application documents
  • Your School Acceptance Letter or CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies)
  • Your Tenancy Agreement or Accommodation Booking Confirmation (Make sure the start date is on or before your arrival date).
• Good to Have as Backup:
  • Notarized bank statements
  • Your TB Test certificate
  • Your National ID card (original and notarized copy)
  • IELTS certificate

Step 2: The Three Great "Arrival Traps" (and How to Avoid Them)

In your exhausted, jet-lagged state, you are vulnerable to making expensive mistakes. Here are the three biggest traps and how to sidestep them.

Trap #1: The Airport SIM Card Scam

• The Situation: You’ve just landed and you’re desperate for an internet connection. You see a vending machine or an official-looking information counter selling SIM cards. They look convenient and trustworthy.
• My Mistake: At the Heathrow Airport counter, I was pressured into buying a 100GB plan for £50 (around 300,000 MMK). They told me I had to pay £2 extra for using cash. I was tired and just wanted to get it done, so I paid.
• The Smart Alternative: DO NOT BUY a SIM card at the airport. If you absolutely must have a connection immediately, buy the cheapest, lowest-data option available. A much better way is to get to your accommodation, rest, and then walk 10-15 minutes to any local convenience store (Tesco Express, Co-op, etc.). There, you can buy the exact same SIM card and plan for £10-£20. The companies will not give you a refund for the airport price.
• Money Saved: At least 50%.

Trap #2: The Expensive Airport Taxi

• The Situation: You've collected your heavy luggage. You're exhausted. You just want to get to your room. Outside, private hire drivers are waiting, just like in Yangon.
• My Mistake: I was too tired to think. I took a taxi for the 1.5-hour journey to Oxford and paid £90 (around 600,000 MMK). The journey was stressful as I was too worried about my belongings to even rest.
• The Smart Alternative: Use the 24/7 coach service. Major airports like Heathrow have direct express bus services to most major cities. You can ask at any information counter, "Hi, how do I get to Oxford using the bus?" For the Heathrow to Oxford route, "The Airline Bus" runs every 30 minutes, 24/7. It costs £20-£30, has a toilet, charging ports, and is extremely comfortable. You can pay with your card as you board; no pre-booking is necessary.
• Money Saved: At least 60%.

Trap #3: The "Starvation Budget" - Why You Must Eat Properly

• The Situation: You arrive at your empty room. You have no pots or pans. You're worried about the high exchange rate and want to save money. So you decide to just eat a slice of bread with some cheese and a carton of milk.
• My Advice: DO NOT DO THIS. Eat a proper, full meal. Your body is dealing with jet lag, the stress of a long journey, and a new, cold climate. It needs fuel to acclimatize. Skimping on food in the first week will only make you feel worse.
• Your Quick Guide to Finding Your First Meals:
  • Supermarket Ready-Meals: Any major supermarket (Tesco, Sainsbury's, etc.) has meals you can heat up in a microwave.
  • Food Trucks: Often found near student areas, these trucks (usually Middle Eastern) offer hot, filling meals for around £10.
  • Fast Food Chains: KFC, McDonald's, Popeyes, etc., are familiar and reliable options.
  • Delivery Apps: Uber Eats, Deliveroo, etc., are convenient but more expensive, with minimum orders often over £15.

Part 3: Setting Up Your New Home - The First Big Shop

• The Reality: Your student room will be completely empty. You will need to buy everything, from toiletries to bedding. The things you brought from Yangon will not be enough.
• My Mistake: Thinking I only needed a few things, I went to a discount store, bought way more than I could carry, and then had to walk a long way home with heavy bags before finally giving up and paying for a taxi.
• The Smart Alternative: Accept that you will need a lot of things. Instead of making many small, tiring trips, make a plan. It’s often more efficient to make one large online order from a budget-friendly store like Home Bargains, B&M, Lidl, or Aldi and have it delivered. For specific items, use Amazon.co.uk. For very cheap, lower-quality items where you don't mind a long wait, there's Temu.

Conclusion: Preparation vs. Regret

You can, of course, arrive with no plan and just figure things out as you go. It’s possible. But will you be better off for it? No. You’ll end up like me, full of regrets: "I can't believe I spent £100 on transport just to save a few pounds on a product I had to buy twice."

If I had known these things, my arrival would have been so much smoother. So, to save you from these same regrets, please read and share "Moe Moe's UK Arrival Bible." Stay tuned for more posts about arriving and settling in.